The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of oppression and demanded that he publicly apologize for alleged injustices committed during his tenure.

In a statement released on Saturday in Kaduna, the foundation’s chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dahiru Usman, through its secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Dahiru Usman, listed several alleged human rights violations under El-Rufai’s administration.

According to the foundation, security forces, acting under El-Rufai’s directive, carried out violent night raids on Tsangaya schools, storming dormitories, assaulting students and staff, and forcibly removing children under questionable circumstances.

The foundation also cautioned political groups that have recently embraced El-Rufai, stating that while political platforms are open to all, those who claim to stand for justice must not ignore the history of individuals they welcome.

They noted that the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation will not allow these injustices to be forgotten.

The statement read: “The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation reminds the general public, the media, and all relevant stakeholders of the grave injustices committed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against our institution, our students, and our revered leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

“Under El-Rufai’s administration, security forces carried out violent night raids on our Tsangaya schools. They stormed dormitories, brutalized students and staff, and forcibly removed children from their hostels under false pretenses.

“Some of these children remain unaccounted for to this day. Even members of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family were physically attacked in their home, a direct act of intimidation against one of Nigeria’s most respected Islamic scholars.

“These were not isolated incidents but a deliberate attempt to humiliate Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and undermine his lifelong work in education and peacebuilding. Despite these provocations, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi chose peace over retaliation, preventing a crisis that could have destabilized the nation.

“However, patience does not mean impunity. El-Rufai must take responsibility for his actions. We, therefore, reaffirm our ultimatum:

“Nasir El-Rufai has until the end of this year’s Ramadan to issue a public apology for his crimes against our foundation, students, and leader. Should he fail to do so, we will take legal action to ensure he is held accountable for his abuses of power.

“We also address those who have recently opened their doors to him. While political platforms are open to all, those who claim to stand for justice must not ignore the history of individuals they welcome. El-Rufai is not a victim—he is an oppressor. Any group or party that aligns with him must be fully aware of the damage he has inflicted on innocent lives.”

“The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation will not allow these injustices to be forgotten. We stand firm in our commitment to seeking justice, protecting religious institutions, and ensuring that no leader ever uses state power to oppress peaceful scholars and students again.”

El-Rufai officially resigned from the APC last Monday and announced his move to the SDP. He directed his political allies and supporters to join him in the new party.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) cited a growing disconnect between his personal values and the APC’s current direction as the key reason for his defection.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, accused the party’s current leadership of abandoning the progressive ideals that guided its formation in 2013.

He claimed that the party had been taken over by individuals who disregarded internal democracy and treated members with contempt.

He added that despite repeatedly voicing his concerns about the party’s decline, both privately and publicly, his warnings were ignored.

El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, said he had hoped that the APC would remain committed to the principles of good governance, democracy, and development.

However, he now believes the party has strayed and no longer represents the ideals of its founding fathers.

THE GUARDIAN